By Wilfred Pilo
All photos courtesy of Darren Chai
KUCHING, April 2: Thirty-three-year-old Darren Chai, burns about 3,000 calories as his fuel daily as he trains to stay on top of the game in the high-intensity sport of CrossFit. That’s a lot more than the recommended 2,500 daily calorie intake for men.
Chai, who is a top CrossFit athlete in South East Asia and currently ranked first in Malaysia in 2023, is currently residing in Brunei with his family.
Arguably the fittest man in Malaysia after also holding the #1 CrossFit Men athlete in Malaysia for 2022 and 2021, the Kuching-born athlete shared that these hard-won achievements are not only to get recognition and respect but to bring more awareness of the sport that he sees as good for all ages.
Chai’s active lifestyle and interest in athletic endeavours started when he was in school.
“I played tennis, basketball and swimming at the national level and even enrolled myself in a golf school in Australia,” he told DayakDaily.
“All these active lifestyles spurred me on to be better, and I always want to be the best. It is a motivation to ensure I achieve my ultimate goal, and such a sport as CrossFit also gives me a healthy body and mind.”
Chai said to compete in a CrossFit competition, a person needs to have good fitness as there will be many activities which require a lot of physical movement which combine weights and cardio exercises.
“So, you have to be well prepared for these physical and endurance activities, and of course, we must have a clean bill of health to ensure that we are fit for the sport.”
Chai, who is also a personal trainer and nutrition expert, owns a fitness business and a workout gym called Hybrid Movement in Brunei. He said being given the title of the fittest man is good for his business.
“The title of being the fittest person helps and makes people and clients believe in what you do and what you offer them. Once they respect your achievement, they are motivated to do it with you,” he opined.
“I think once you have proof to tell your clients that you are the best in the game, it motivates them and to be the best too.
“Ultimately, for me, it is to get fit, healthy and the awareness, in the sport. You could be of any age and gender, and CrossFit as an endurance sport is good for you. I encourage everybody to join,” he said.
Chai also believed that CrossFit should have the full support of governments and sports governing bodies as it can not only bring recognition to the athletes but those regions which they represent.
“I am a Malaysian but I stay in Brunei as my parents moved to the country to make a living. I am here to make my living too, and have a business in the sport. I encourage this sport here and elsewhere,” he said,
“But it is important that any government to support all sports and help athletes as it is good. Infact, we are coming to Sarawak and we will have a competition at Stadium Negeri from May 12–14,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, Chai said that CrossFit is getting popular in Malaysia, with about 500 male athletes currently active.
“So, I hoped we have good support for this good sport and its activities. Everybody should join us and be healthy,” he said. — DayakDaily
